What happens when a CEO realizes he’s the bottleneck in his own business? In this episode of Escape the CEO Doom Loop, hosts Glen Dall and John Ninkovich sit down with Philip Chabot, CEO of RSC Mechanical, to talk about the uncomfortable truth every leader faces — when old habits hold back new growth.

Phil shares his candid story of stepping into a 500-person family business, struggling with the “Doom Loop,” and rebuilding through accountability, structure, and consistency. He explains how RSC turned its Compass — a simple framework of mission, vision, and values — into a living system that drives culture and clarity across 19 states.

If you’re a founder, entrepreneur, or executive looking to break free from burnout and lead with focus, this episode delivers the real-world playbook: lean in, write it down, make a plan, and stay consistent.

Watch now to learn:
How to recognize and escape the CEO Doom Loop
Creating accountability systems without emotion
Balancing family, business, and leadership growth
Why consistency beats intensity every time

00:00 – Intro: Welcome to Escape the CEO Doom Loop 
02:24 – Meet Philip Chabot, CEO of RSC Mechanical 
03:40 – The Family Legacy and Early Lessons in Leadership 
06:25 – The Planned CEO Transition 
08:05 – “Want vs Will”: The Real Test of Leadership 
11:09 – Balancing Family and CEO Responsibilities 
15:10 – Recognizing the Doom Loop 
17:08 – Escaping It: A Good Plan Beats No Plan 
20:47 – Building Accountability Through “The Compass” 
23:57 – Culture Over Convenience in a Family Business 
26:40 – Maintaining Standards and Communication 
32:37 – What Got Us Here Won’t Get Us There 
35:45 – Scaling with Structure and Data 
38:30 – Building Culture That Attracts A-Players 
40:30 – Using Data as a Leadership Tool 
43:33 – Consistency Drives Profitability 
45:36 – Phil’s Advice: Write. Plan. Measure.  
51:00 – Closing Thoughts: Consistency Wins Every Time

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Carl Saunders was stuck.
Four years of flat revenue. Flat profit.
Eighty to one hundred hour weeks.
Two top performers asking, “Where is the opportunity here?”

Most CEOs know that moment.
Few know how to climb out.

In this episode, Carl shares how he broke the cycle that was burning him out and stalling the company. His story moves from overwork and fear-driven leadership to a system that transformed the business: daily huddles, transparency, servant leadership, real accountability, and a team that delivered without him in the center.

Within four years, Vorum doubled revenue, tripled profitability, and sold the company with a six-month earn-out because the team was running the business, not Carl.

If you’re a CEO who feels stuck, this is the roadmap.

• The Doom Loop defined
Flat growth, overwork, and top talent questioning their future.

• Why founders stay stuck
Fear of failure, over-involvement, “hero mode,” and the belief that effort equals value.

• The exact tools Carl used to turn it around
Daily huddles
Radical transparency
Servant leadership one-on-ones

• Proof of transformation
Revenue doubled.
Profitability tripled.
Earn-out reduced from two years to six months.

• What goes into the CEO Playbook
Stop wearing 80-hour weeks like a badge.
Lean into personal change.
Make accountability visible.
Coach your leaders, don’t rescue them.
Don’t try to do this alone.

• A 30-day roadmap to break the Doom Loop
Simple steps any CEO can start now.

Former CEO of Vorum, a global medical technology innovator in custom orthopedic devices. Now a full-time Metronomics coach helping CEOs escape the patterns he once lived through.

00:00 Cold Open
00:45 Introduction
02:00 Carl’s Doom Loop Moment
08:00 Why CEOs Get Stuck
12:00 Tools That Break the Loop
22:00 Transformation and Results
28:00 Carl’s CEO Playbook
33:00 Coachability and Resistance
36:00 A CEO’s First 30 Days
39:00 Recap and Close

Download the free CEO Playbook
The frameworks Carl used. The same tools we teach.

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Real stories, real systems, straight from CEOs who’ve done the work.

Escape the CEO Doom Loop is for CEOs and leadership teams ready to grow with clarity, momentum, and purpose. Hosted by Glen Dall and John Ninkovich, each episode brings you practical tools and real-world stories from leaders who’ve built strong companies without sacrificing their sanity.

Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gGJHsNT9
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gDywEfuc
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gcNmQvA4

#EscapeTheCEODoomLoop #CEOLeadership #ExecutiveCoaching #Metronomics #LeadershipSystems #GetUnstuck #CEOPlaybook

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In this episode of Escape the CEO Doom Loop, hosts Glen Dall and John Ninkovich sit down with former tech CEO turned coach Matt Dion.

Matt shares his unfiltered story of success, burnout, and reinvention through the 2008 financial crisis. He explains how ego and overwork trapped him in a cycle of stress — and how mentorship, structure, and self-awareness helped him escape it.

Whether you’re a founder, CEO, or executive looking to lead without losing yourself, this conversation offers real-world wisdom on building teams, embracing conflict, and leading with purpose.

Watch now to learn how clarity and courage create freedom.

Chapters:
 00:00 – Intro & Show Opening
 02:17 – Meet Matt Dion: From Tech Startups to CEO
 05:10 – The First Rise and Fall
 07:11 – Ego and the 2008 Crash
 09:50 – Burnout & Hitting Bottom
 11:00 – Discovering Coaching and Frameworks
 16:47 – Lessons from The Motive
 19:02 – Building A-Player Teams
 25:18 – From Ego to Purpose
 27:19 – Conflict as Data
 39:33 – Freedom Through Courage
 40:22 – Closing Thoughts & Takeaways

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In this episode of Escape the CEO Doom Loop, Glen Dall and John Ninkovich sit down with Josh Barney, Vice President of JJ Barney Construction. A former attorney who left the courtroom for concrete, Josh shares the story of joining his fourth-generation family business, the challenges of stepping into a future CEO role, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

Josh reflects on transitioning leadership from his father, building a dream team, and why he believes construction is a people business. From honoring his great-grandfather’s legacy to shaping a modern company culture, this conversation explores faith, family, and the real meaning of leadership.

Watch now to hear how Josh plans to avoid the CEO Doom Loop and what advice he has for leaders carrying the weight of legacy and growth.

Chapters:
 [00:00:00] Introduction & Setup
 [00:03:30] Welcome Josh Barney
 [00:04:14] The History of JJ Barney Construction
 [00:10:27] Leaving Law for the Family Business
 [00:17:41] Building Leadership & Structure
 [00:23:24] Challenges of Delegation and Change
 [00:40:22] Faith, Family, and Legacy
 [00:44:01] Fear, Pressure, and Privilege
 [00:46:18] Three Keys to Avoid the CEO Doom Loop
 [00:49:25] Closing Thoughts

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At 28 years old, Richard Bryan was thrown into the CEO seat of his family’s 100-year-old car dealership group — a business losing millions and on the brink of collapse. With 400 employees and 16 family shareholders depending on him, survival became the only goal.

In this episode of Escape the CEO Doom Loop, Richard shares how he led under immense pressure, the pivotal role his mentor “Frank” played, and the leadership lessons he carries into his work today as a Metronomics coach. From firing C players to building an A-team, Richard’s story is a raw look at what it takes to lead through a crisis.

If you’re a CEO, entrepreneur, or leader navigating growth and uncertainty, Richard’s journey will challenge and inspire you. Subscribe for more conversations with leaders escaping the Doom Loop.

Chapters:
[00:00:00] Intro & Guest Welcome
[00:06:01] Becoming CEO at 28
[00:07:46] Defining Success as Survival
[00:12:00] Six Months of Cash Left
[00:13:38] Finding Frank the Mentor
[00:18:00] Hard Decisions: Closures & Layoffs
[00:29:42] Building an A-Team
[00:36:19] From Survival to Growth Vision
[00:43:28] Transition to Coaching
[00:50:00] Leadership Lessons for CEOs

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In this episode of Escape the CEO Doom Loop, hosts Glen Dall and John Ninkovich sit down with Shawn Verlinden, CEO of Auch Construction. Shawn shares his journey from project manager to CEO of a 100+ year-old construction firm, and how building leadership rhythms transformed his company’s culture and growth trajectory.

Shawn explains how letting go of daily tasks was the best move he made, how daily huddles created trust and speed across the company, and why coaching and accountability drive momentum. From his first year as CEO, Shawn’s insights are practical, candid, and deeply human — lessons every leader can use.

If you’re a CEO struggling with growth challenges, this episode will give you practical strategies to lead with clarity, courage, and discipline. Subscribe for more conversations with real-world CEOs.

Chapters:
 [00:00:00] Intro & Guest Welcome
 [00:01:00] Shawn’s background in construction
 [00:03:00] The CEO Doom Loop explained
 [00:07:00] Building a cohesive leadership team
 [00:13:00] First year as CEO: lessons learned
 [00:17:00] Letting go of projects to lead the company
 [00:20:00] Shifting from operations to strategy
 [00:27:00] Coaching, huddles, and momentum
 [00:34:00] Shawn’s leadership philosophy & vision
 [00:42:40] Closing

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Burnout, Bad Hires & Bulldozing Through the Doom Loop

What happens when you hit rock bottom in the CEO seat—8 figures in debt, team trust eroding, and no clear way out?

In this episode, Glen Dall and John Ninkovich sit down with Anthony Stayman, who shares the brutal truth of trying to do it all—CEO, head of sales, firefighter—and what finally helped him escape the Doom Loop.

They unpack:

• What $8M in debt teaches you about leadership
• Why hiring the “smartest person in the room” can backfire
• The hidden cost of bulldozing through burnout
• How coaching helped rebuild momentum without selling the company

Subscribe for real stories, not theory.

Full episodes:
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gGJHsNT9
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gDywEfuc
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gcNmQvA4

#LeadershipPodcast #CEOStories #ExecutiveCoaching #BurnoutRecovery #APlayerTeams #EscapeTheCEODoomLoop

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What does it really take to lead a century-old family business into its next era of growth, without losing yourself in the process?

In this episode, Glen Dall and John Ninkovich sit down with Matt McDonell, CEO of MJS Packaging, to explore his journey from family member on the sidelines to full-time sales leader and, ultimately, CEO. 

Matt opens up about the weight of leadership, the discipline of strategic planning, the loneliness that often comes with the role, and the ongoing work of building a culture that retains A-players in a modern world.

If you’re leading a growing business, navigating succession, or just trying to find balance in the chaos, this conversation is for you.           

Key Topics Covered:
The evolution of a 135+ year-old family business
Transitioning into the CEO seat during COVID
Breaking old habits: from "everyone sells everything" to strategic focus
Building a true leadership team and letting go of firefighting
What it feels like to live in the CEO Doom Loop—and how Matt gets out of it
The cost of ignoring personal well-being as a leader
Balancing legacy with future growth (including acquisitions)
How to retain A-players and build accountability in a family-oriented culture
Why a CEO coach matters—and what kind of support makes a difference

Guest Bio:

Matt McDonell is the CEO of MJS Packaging, a multi-generation family business founded in 1885. With deep roots in sales and a strategic mind for growth, Matt has helped lead the company through industry disruption, leadership transitions, and internal reinvention. He’s known for his direct communication, humble leadership, and commitment to building a business that outlasts him.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Who is Matt McDonell?
04:00 – Family business legacy + Matt’s path to CEO
10:15 – First strategic planning sessions with John
15:45 – The decision to reinvest in leadership (vs. distribute profits)
20:30 – Growing pains & signs the team needed change
26:00 – Becoming the CEO: reality vs. expectation
33:40 – Recognizing and escaping the CEO Doom Loop
39:25 – Balancing family, health, and mental clarity
44:15 – Building a culture that attracts and keeps A-players
49:10 – Driving change in a legacy business
53:40 – The importance of understanding your core customer
59:00 – How Matt's role has evolved + becoming a remote CEO
1:06:15 – Vision, legacy, and what comes next
1:10:30 – Matt’s CEO Playbook: 3 non-negotiables
1:14:00 – Final reflections from Glen & John

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When your company’s growth slows, the instinct is to work harder, move faster, and push your team harder. But what if that’s exactly what’s keeping you stuck?

In this episode, Michael Guthrie, experienced CEO, breaks down why even the most successful leaders can get caught in the CEO doom loop, and how to break free.

We unpack:

• How growth plateaus actually start (and why it’s rarely market conditions).
• The warning signs your leadership team is out of alignment.
• Why “do more” often backfires when revenue stalls.
• The small, deliberate shifts that reignite momentum.
• How to keep your head clear when the weight of the company feels like it’s all on you.

If you’re a CEO, founder, or senior leader, Michael’s insights will give you both the diagnosis and the cure for your company’s slowdown.

Inform Studio

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In this episode, Glen and John sit down with Bill Costello, CEO of Streeter Custom Builder, for an honest and insightful look at what it really takes to transition from doing the work—to leading the people who do.

From running operations to stepping into the CEO seat, Bill’s journey is filled with the tough mindset shifts and real leadership lessons that define a high-performing company. Whether it’s letting go of control, navigating team turnover, or building a leadership rhythm that drives culture and profit—Bill shares how he escaped the Doom Loop and built something stronger.

This conversation is packed with truth, strategy, and the kind of wisdom only hard-earned experience can bring.

In this episode, Bill shares:

• What it was like to take over a legacy business—and why vision had to come first
• The hardest transition of all: letting go of operations
• Why accountability scared some people off—and why that’s okay
• His framework for coaching senior leaders instead of managing them
• The rhythm that built consistency, culture, and over $3M in net profit
• What changed when he stopped being the fixer and started asking better questions
• How “Automate the Ordinary, Elevate the Extraordinary” became a leadership mantra
• Why building an A-level team is the CEO’s most important job

Timestamps:
 00:00 – Welcome + Meet Bill Costello
 02:30 – From COO to CEO: The messy middle
 06:45 – Trusting the team to rise
 11:10 – Letting go of control and the COO title
 15:30 – Building a vision the whole company could believe in
 21:15 – When the vision finally clicked—and fear turned into buy-in
 26:50 – What accountability really means (and what it cost them)
 31:20 – Turning metrics into motivation
 36:15 – Bonus structures, performance, and retention
 42:30 – When team changes force a reset
 47:00 – Coaching through hard decisions
 51:45 – Working on the business vs. in the business
 55:00 – Ask more questions. Be patient. Stay disciplined.

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